More mumps found at BHS

Although the mumps outbreak numbers continue to swell in the region, state and Douglas County, so far there have only been three cases reported in Baldwin City.

The first case involved a student at Baker University and last week there were reports of two cases of mumps at Baldwin High School. Checks with both this week found no additional reports.

As of Wednesday, there were 249 reported cases of mumps in Kansas, with 124 of those in Douglas County. While originally confined to just a few counties in the state, there are now reports of cases in 32 counties. Numbers are escalating across the region, too, and Iowa -- which has been hit hardest -- had 975 cases at last report.

But, mostly, the outbreak is confined to college-age people. That's especially true in Douglas County where the vast majority of the cases have been in Kansas University students. The three cases in Baldwin are in that 18-24 year old group, but it's been nothing here like it's been in Lawrence.

And, the cases reported each day by the health department aren't new cases.

"Our numbers are a cumulative total," said Tirol-Goodwin. "These are the numbers from when we first started reporting. Once someone is reported, they remain on the list. We don't pull them off."

Because of the mumps outbreak in Douglas County, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment have a new recommendation regarding the MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccine. CDC and KDHE strongly recommend two MMRs for anyone who has no knowledge of having had the disease or has not had two MMRs. There continues to be no recommendation to give MMR vaccine to children less than 12 months of age nor is there a recommendation to give a third MMR.

People interested in receiving the vaccine should check with their healthcare provider or they can obtain the vaccine at the Health Department. The Health Department clinic is open: Monday through Friday, 8:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday open at 9:30 a.m. Monday evening open until 8 p.m. and Thursday evening open until 7 p.m.